American Bittern

[Bob Pelkey]

Well, this appears an unusual time to observe American Bitterns successfully (not to mention Snowy Owls).

While I posted a similar version of this shot to my local Audubon chapter tonight, I'm compelled to give it feeble comparison to Stuart's remarkable flight shots of the species here. This bird was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve on 12 November 2013.

While normally not seen, the species was in the wide open apparently fixated on something edible and very tolerant of my approach and that of BPN member Chris Baker visiting from England. Kudos to Ron Bishop for finding the bird (while Chris and I were working a banded male Everglades Snail Kite closer to the parking area).

The image presented here is cropped minimally from a portrait rear focus shot. The flight shot opportunity with patience was had when the bird apparently came out of its trance offering great views of its hind quarters (landscape).

Compared to the Audubon version, I adjusted the hue -6 (to add the realistic warmth remembered) while sharpening and removing noise with the same technique.

Bob

http://www.swfloridabirder.blogspot.com

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Hey Bob. Pretty environment and nice detail on the bittern. Nice to get it in the open so well. I 'm thinkin of visiting Jersey for those snowies myself!

[Henry Domke]

It's good to document an unusual find.
However, the jumbled composition is messy.

[keith mitchell]

Bob a good shot of this bird in it's natural habitat.

Keith.

[Marina Scarr]

I like seeing this bittern in habitat, Bob. I am not a big fan of cleaning up my images, but there is one pesty, bright, thin twig on the diagonal upper right which I would consider removing b/c I think it would make this image even more powerful.